Thursday, May 21, 2009

King George skies clear for National Day of Prayer

Navy chaplain (Lt.) Eric Malmstrom leads part of the audience in a prayer of remembrance for America's men and women in uniform.

With a backdrop of blue skies sweeping away a passing electrical thunderstorm, providing the appearance of divine intervention, the National Day of Prayer was celebrated recently at the entrance of the King George County Courthouse.

Gathered before the courthouse were the pastors of at least 10 King George churches and about 50 members of their congregations.

The Rev. Michael D. Finn-McKenzie, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, welcomed the crowd. The Rev. Dennis Newton of historic Potomac Baptist Church led worshipers in the Pledge of Allegiance.

They were followed by the Rev. Jim May, a priest at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Ted James of Round Hill Baptist Church, the Rev. Terry Naumann of Peace Lutheran Church, and the Naval Support Activity South Potomac Chaplain (Lt.) Eric Malmstrom.

Each offered prayers respectively for the nation, the county, elected leaders of both, and the men and women of the United States military.

Other ministers in attendance included the Rev. Lance Bacon of the King George Church of God, and the Rev. Ed Johnson of Dahlgren United Methodist Church.

In ending the ceremony, Finn-McKenzie pointed out the Irving Berlin song ‘‘God Bless America” which he said has ‘‘become like the second National Anthem of our nation.

‘‘Like many immigrants he (Berlin) came here and fell in love with America. He was from Siberia of all places and neither read nor wrote music when he first came here. But he wanted a song that would bring us together across all divides...and to ask a blessing upon America as our home sweet home. And now we have this beautiful rendition.”

The crowd then ended the observance with the singing of ‘‘God Bless America.”